Peach tree named ‘Sugar Time’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. The features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization: 
     1. Early maturity of large size, yellow flesh fruit. 
     2. Fruit having a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality. 
     3. Fruit having firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality. 
     4. heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     5. Fruit having a high degree of attractive red skin color. 
     6. The tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In the field of plant genetics we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the origination and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, of which peaches, nectarines, apricots,cherries, plums and interspecifics are exemplary. It is against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of peach tree wasoriginated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

The existing varieties of peach and nectarine trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, are May Crest Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,064), Ventura Peach (non-patented), Spring Crest Peach (non-patented),Fayette Peach (non-patented), May Grand Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,794) and Sweet Gem Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,952).

ORGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) was developed byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a firstgeneration cross, made in 1989, between two selected seedlings withfield identification numbers 45GA424 (non-patented) and 7.5HB605(non-patented). The maternal parent (45GA424) was selected for futureuse in our breeding program and originated from a cross of two seedlingselections. One seedling originated from a cross of Fayette Peach(non-patented) with a nectarine of unknown parentage. The other selectedseedling originated from open pollinated seed of May Grand Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794). The paternal parent (7.5HB605) originatedfrom a cross of a selected seedling with May Crest Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,064). The selected seedling originated from a cross betweenVentura Peach (non-patented) and Spring Crest Peach (non-patented). Weplanted and grew a large group of these first generation seedlings, ontheir own root, under close observation, during which time we recognizedthe outstanding fruit characteristics described within and selected thepresent variety for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to Nemaguard rootstock (non-patented), the standard rootstockfor peaches in California, as performed by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions runtrue to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and itsfruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorousupright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large, yellowflesh, clingstone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. Thefruit is further characterized with ripening in the early maturityseason, having a high degree of attractive red skin color and havingfirm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. In comparison to theyellow flesh, mild, sweet, sub-acid, Sweet Gem Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,952), the new variety is approximately 16 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, age 8 years, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common terms) in accordance with ReinholdColor Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Pruned to 12 to 14 feet in height at maturity foreconomical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree reaching 6 to 8 feet in height and 5 to 6 feet inwidth during first growing season. During first dormant season the treeis pruned to 3 to 4 feet in height and primary scaffolds are selected.

Growth.—Upright. The center branches are removed, forming a vase shape,to increase air movement and sunlight throughout the tree to enhancefruit color and new fruit wood growth.

Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set is two or more times the amountneeded for normal crop load and fruit must be thinned and spaced todevelop desirable market size fruit.

Bearer.—Regular. Has set adequate crop load for 6 consecutive years.

Form.—Pruned to vase shaped.

Density.—Medium dense. Removal of center branches by pruning isnecessary for air movement and sunlight to penetrate center of tree.

Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chillingrequirement is approximately 800 hours below 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Large. Measured 26 inches in circumference at 15 inches aboveground on 8 year old tree.

Texture.—Medium shaggy, varies slightly with age of tree.

Color.—Mouse gray to beaver brown (5-E-3) to (5-F-4).

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average measurement of 14 inches in circumference at 43inches above ground. Varies with age of tree.

Texture.—Smooth to medium rough. Varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.—Medium number. Medium to large size, average 18 within 4square inch surface, counted 36 inches above ground. Average length{fraction (3/16)} inch. Average width {fraction (3/32)} inch. Color —golden wheat to Chinese yellow (4-B-5) to (4-B-7).

Color.—Light tan to light brown (6-C-8) to (6-D-8), varies with age ofgrowth.

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average length 7½ inches. Average width 1⅞ inches.

Form.—Lanceolate.

Margin.—Crenate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Upper surface — smooth. Lower surface — relatively smooth,slightly ridged in venation areas.

Petiole.—Medium. Average length ½ inch. Medium thickness, grooved. Color— light green to grayish green (29-D-4) to (29-D-6).

Glands.—Reniform. Number varies from 1 to 5. Average number 2. Small tomedium in size. Average length {fraction (3/64)} inch. Average width{fraction (1/32)} inch. Positioned on base of leaf blade and upperportion of petiole. Color varies from spring green to yellowish green(30-C-6) to (30-C-8). Secretion of sticky fluid collects dust andimpurities from air and changes to darker color.

Color.—Upper surface — green to dark green (27-E-8) to (27-F-8). Lowersurface — grayish green to green 29-D-6) to (29-D-8). Leaf color variesslightly with fertility of soil.

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length {fraction (37/64)} inch. Averagewidth {fraction (25/64)} inch. Three days before bloom.

Form.—Plump.

Pubescence.—Pubescent.

Color.—Light pink to pastel pink (11-A-3) to (11-A-5).

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California.

Flowers:

Flower development.—Normally one flower bud on each side of leaf bud onprevious years new growth. Perigynous, complete, single pistil, multiplestamens, five petals and sepals alternately positioned.

Size.—Large, showy. Average height 1 inch. Average diameter 1½ inches.

Petal.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Nearly orbicular,narrower at point of attachment, edges vary from smooth to slightlyscalloped. Average length {fraction (29/32)} inch. Average width ⅜ inch.

Sepals.—Number—5, alternately arranged to petals. Size — medium. Averagelength {fraction (15/64)} inch. Average width {fraction (11/64)} inch.Color — upper surface brownish orange (6-C-6), fades with age of flower.Lower surface — dull red (11-C-5), fades as flower ages.

Aroma.—Very slight.

Stamens.—Number varies from 20 to 37. Average filament length {fraction(31/64)} inch. Filament color — white to pale pink (12-A-1) to (12-A-3),fades with age of flower. Anther color — butter cup yellow to lightorange (4-A-7) to (5-A-7).

Pistil.—Number — one. Average length {fraction (21/32)} inch. Color —white (1-A-1). Pubescence.

Pollen.—Present, self-fertile. Color — yellow to sunflower yellow(4-A-6) to (4-A-7).

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 1, 1999. Date of Last BloomMar. 9, 1999. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—Pink to light pink (11-A-4) to (11-A-3). Color fades with age offlowers.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Shipping ripe.

Date of first picking.—Jun. 25, 1999.

Date of last picking.—Jul. 2, 1999. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Average diameter axially 2⅝ inches. Average transversely in sutureplane 2⅞ inches. Average weight 178 grams. Average weight variesslightly with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climaticconditions.

Form.—Nearly globose, slightly flattened at both apex and base.

Suture.—Nearly smooth, only very slight depression, extends from base toapex.

Ventral surface.—Rounded.

Apex.—Slightly retuse.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded, slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth ⅜inch. Average breadth ⅞ inch.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Texture.—Medium, tenacious to the flesh.

Down.—Moderate amount, medium length.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Color.—Mellow yellow to chrome yellow (5-A-6) to (5-A-8) ground color.Overspread with deep red to Bordeaux red (11-C-8) to (11-D-8), withsmall areas of ground color showing, leaving a dappled to mottledpattern in some of the surface area. Amount and degree of red colorvaries with amount of the fruit exposed to sunlight.

Stem:

Size.—Average length ⅜ to ½ inch. Average diameter {fraction (3/32)}inch.

Color.—Olive yellow to grayish yellow (3-C-8) to (3-D-8).

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Aroma.—Slight.

Amygdalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Excellent.

Flavor.—Excellent.

Juice.—Moderate, mild, sweet, enhances flavor.

Brix.—12.2°.

Color.—Butter yellow to sunflower yellow (4-A-5) to (4-A-7). Pit cavity— butter yellow to amber yellow (4-A-5) to (4-B-6).

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—large. Average length 1½ inches. Average width 1⅛ inches. Averagethickness ⅝ inch.

Form.—Ovate.

Base.—Usually straight, varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base. Pits varyfrom round to elongated.

Sides.—Unequal, one side larger, extending outward farther from sutureplane.

Ridges.—Rounded, relatively wide with a few rough surface areas.

Tendency to split.—Very slight.

Color.—Yolk yellow (4-B-8).

Use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good. Fruit stored for 3 weeks at 38° to 42° F. showedno internal breakdown or wooliness.

Shipping quality: Good. Fruit packed and shipped showed minimal bruisingof flesh or skin scarring.

Plant disease: No specific testing for relative plant/fruit diseaseresistance/susceptibility has been designed. Under close observationduring planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit, under normal culturaland growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruitdisease resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety orselection observed, during indexing of plant characteristics, withabnormal fungus, bacterial, virus, or insect susceptibility is destroyedand eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of large,yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality;the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh, good packingand storage quality, having an attractive red skin color, and, incomparison to the mild, sweet, sub-acid Sweet Gem Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,952), the variety is approximately 16 days later in maturity.